5 Ways The Internet of Things Will Disrupt the Construction Industry in 2017

The Internet of Things (IoT) seems to be taking over the world, but it’s making our lives easier in the process, so it’s a welcome coup. In previous years, we have seen steady changes in the construction industry to include more IoT technologies, and we can expect that trend to continue in 2017.

5 Ways The Internet of Things Will Disrupt The Construction Industry This Year:

1. Drones will become more important.

Expect to see unmanned aerial vehicles outfitted with mapping capabilities on more job sites in 2017. Drones are used to capture data to create a 3D model of a construction site. This inexpensive technology allows smaller projects access to advanced planning tools. Drone use also helps cut costs on larger jobs where managers previously used helicopters for the same purpose.

2. Jobsite transparency will increase.

GPS-enabled technologies will continue evolving to become more effective at providing jobsite transparency. GPS-capable devices will couple with virtual imaging to help project managers make important decisions. However, to make the most of these technologies, communication is key. Improved contractor service visits and information flow should be maximized with organized project management. In 2017, we’ll see more managers choose contractor scheduling software options that combine project management with GPS tracking.

3. Energy efficiency will increase.

From real-time energy use monitors to lower cost energy technologies, IoT is helping project managers make smarter decisions about energy usage to remain in budget. These and other technologies are also contributing to greener building, which provides a longer-term savings to the client. It’s a win-win.

Expect to see more women-founded startups disrupt the construction industry in 2017.

5. Intelligent machines will make work more efficient.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is more of a challenge in the construction industry because job conditions tend to be somewhat unpredictable. But there are so many benefits of these technologies that many startups are pushing to create the first commercial AI device to be used in the industry.

There will always be a bit of uncertainty that comes along with enhanced automation, but history has proven that technological advances help us achieve things that would not have been possible before. Expect to see some exciting changes in the “Internet of Construction” that will help enhance accuracy, job completion time, and overall performance.